Nico Vaughan, the junior class "Nice Girl" wants to be free from her abusive and obsessive ex-boyfriend.
Valen Henford, the school's resident "Rich Guy meets Bad Boy" wants to spend his senior year with the girl he's been in love with for years.
W...
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"You say you love rain but you open your umbrella. You say you love the sun but then you find a shadow spot. You say you love the wind but you choose to close your windows. This is why I am afraid when you say you love me" (William Shakespeare).
|◁ II ▷|
I gently take hold of Valen's hand as we walk through the parking lot of the hospital. He pulls out his phone and starts calling someone.
"Jake?" He stammers. "He—I—Rikkard had—There's been—"
"Here," I whisper, holding out my hand.
Valen hands me the phone, picking his pace up.
"Jake? This is Nico."
'Hey, what happened? Valen's acting like an idiot.'
"Rikkard's been in a wreck. We're at Helen Keller Hospital."
'Damnit,' I hear shuffling and a thud. 'Okay, I'll try to be there.'
He hangs up, and I give Valen his phone back.
"Should I call Summer?" I ask offhandedly, typing in her name on my phone.
"No!" Valen shouts.
"Oh—Okay."
"Sorry, it's just—" Valen runs a hand through his hair as we enter the hospital doors. "No, it would be a bad idea with what happened tonight for her to come. I'm sorry for yelling."
I pat his arm as we walk up to the front desk. "No worries, Valen."
"Um, what room is Rikkard Dean in?" He urges the front desk man. "I got a call. I'm his brother."
"Valen Henford?" The man types something on his computer, glancing up at Valen.
"Yes, sir."
"Room 136. Elevator will be on your left in the lobby."
With a brief word of thanks, Valen and I move past the man. The elevator ride one floor up is brief and silent.
When we enter Rikkard's room, Valen rushes over to him. "Rike, I'm so sorry."
Rikkard shakes his head. "Everything is my fault. Nothing is yours."
"I told you I'd take you home," Valen argues. "And nothing is your fault."
Rikkard bends his head to the side, a weak shake of his head. Pain ripples through his features.
